Molitor: Sano could be called up soon

[Brock Beauchamp]

Plouffe has played several games at first this season. I think it's madness to make Miguel learn the position on the fly when you have a perfectly acceptable alternative that doesn't involve jerking around an elite prospect who needs to focus on third base and hitting.

[Seth Stohs]

 I LOVE this quote:

 

 

Every day that goes by, he’s closer to getting here. That’s kind of a general answer, but whether it’s in a couple weeks or September, we’ve been looking for him to get consistency.

 

The first sentence is great. Yup, every day, he's getting closer... but then the reality... could be a couple of weeks... could be September. I tend to think it'll be closer to a couple of weeks. 

[drjim]

 

Plouffe has played several games at first this season. I think it's madness to make Miguel learn the position on the fly when you have a perfectly acceptable alternative that doesn't involve jerking around an elite prospect who needs to focus on third base and hitting.

 

The vast majority of games are still going to have Mauer at 1B and Plouffe at 3B. I don't think you want Sano being a virtual full time DH this early, need another position.

[mikelink45]

 

Buxton CF

Mauer 1B

Dozier 2B

Sano DH (3B one time a week)

Plouffe 3B

Hunter RF

Rosario LF

Suzuki C

Polanco/Santana/Escobar SS

 

Hicks: 4th OF, PR, defensive replacement.

Mauer at 7 and the rest move up.  

[Mike Sixel]

 

The vast majority of games are still going to have Mauer at 1B and Plouffe at 3B. I don't think you want Sano being a virtual full time DH this early, need another position.

 

Being DH for 3 months doesn't mean he is forever.

[Vance_Christianson]

Proposal: Mauer to the DL (7 Day), clear his head, and he has to be having some sort of nagging injury or concussion symptoms. Plain and simple, he's not playing Mauer baseball right now!

 

So with moving Mauer to the DL, we then slide Plouffe over to 1b, and then insert Sano at 3b over our NL Road Trip.

 

Batting Order with Mauer on DL:

1. Buxton - CF 

2. Hunter - RF

3. Dozier - 2b

4. Plouffe - 1b

5. Sano - 3b

6. Rosario - LF

7. Vargas - DH   if we are playing NL then obviously no DH

8. Suzuki - C

9. Escobar/Nunez - SS

Batting Order then with Mauer:

1. Buxton - CF

2. Hunter - RF

3. Dozier - 2b

4. Plouffe - 3b/1b 2 games a week at 1b

5. Sano - DH/3b  2 games a week at 3b

6. Mauer - 1b/DH 2 games a week at DH, he needs to move down the order! Less Pressure for a bit

7. Rosario - LF

8. Suzuki - C

9. Escobar/Nunez - SS

[USAFChief]

I LOVE this quote:

 

 

 

The first sentence is great. Yup, every day, he's getting closer... but then the reality... could be a couple of weeks... could be September. I tend to think it'll be closer to a couple of weeks.

 

To me that quote is pretty ridiculous.

 

If he isn't ready, "perhaps by September" makes sense.

 

But a couple weeks is not going to make any difference. He won't be much, if at all, more "ready" than he is this morning.

 

You might work back from injury in a couple weeks, but a prospects "readiness" doesn't suddenly change in two weeks. Ever. For anyone. People don't learn the game in 2 weeks or 50 ABs.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

The vast majority of games are still going to have Mauer at 1B and Plouffe at 3B. I don't think you want Sano being a virtual full time DH this early, need another position.

It's easy to get Sano reps in the field without disrupting him too badly.

 

Once a week, rotate Plouffe and Sano at 3B/DH (or give Plouffe the occasional day off against a righty).

 

Once a week, sit Mauer, rotate Plouffe over to first, and slide Miguel to third.

 

Problem solved and Miguel gets to focus on third base and hitting. No distractions.

 

BONUS POINTS: Mauer gets to sit once a week and hopefully sort out his current issues.

[bird]

I'm all for seeing Sano up here sooner rather than later, but I think there's a distinct possibility that people are going to be disappointed by the expected immediate impact. We should probably temper our expectations regarding how instantaneously the offense gets turned around, and I'm very skeptical that his addition translates immediately into more wins. OTOH, inserting two generational talents simultaneously into the lineup...hey, go for it.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Baseball is an entertainment business. Ticket revenues and TV are what keep the Twins solvent. It also allows them to invest in the team. The StarTribune has already ran a bunch of positive articles about Buxton. And Buxton is selling tickets:

 

http://www.startribune.com/buxton-buzz-helps-fuel-target-field-ticket-sales/307752671/

 

Here's a quote for you:

 

"The Twins arguably haven’t had such a highly anticipated debut since Joe Mauer in 2004, Justin Morneau in 2003, or even as far back as Kirby Puckett in 1984. St. Peter expects this excitement to fuel sales around the stadium, especially if Buxton can prove himself quickly. Buxton apparel will arrive at Target Field early Wednesday."

 

(Honestly, I didn't see this article prior to writing my first comment)

The linked article says:

Twins officials are expecting anywhere from 31,000 to 35,000 in ticket sales for the highly touted prospect’s local introduction.

 

St. Louis's average road attendance is in that range.  Heck, even the 2014 Twins averaged over 30,000 for June-July-August last year.  The "Buxton bump" is probably only a couple thousand, max.  And that's for the debut, with diminishing returns afterward unless the team and/or player does well.

 

You really think that's a factor at all in Terry Ryan and Paul Molitor's decision making?  I don't doubt the team will market the new guys to the hilt and welcome whatever boost in tickets, ratings, and merchandise sales they can get, but it is highly doubtful that it is affecting the player's promotion schedule (it certainly would not delay Sano's promotion for multiple weeks while we are still contending).

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I'm all for seeing Sano up here sooner rather than later, but I think there's a distinct possibility that people are going to be disappointed by the expected immediate impact. We should probably temper our expectations regarding how instantaneously the offense gets turned around, and I'm very skeptical that his addition translates immediately into more wins. OTOH, inserting two generational talents simultaneously into the lineup...hey, go for it.

I have no such immediate expectations.  I just want the Twins to eventually sustain a plus offense this year and beyond.  Working Buxton and Sano into the lineup now gives us a better/faster chance of achieving that goal than, say, running out Shane Robinson and Vargas/Nunez for a couple more weeks.

[DaveW]

Ryan and Molitor aren't doing it for the temporary ticket sales bump, I am near positive on that.

 

You know what bumps ticket sales? Winning baseball games and being in the playoff hunt until late Sept.

[DaveW]

 

It's easy to get Sano reps in the field without disrupting him too badly.

 

Once a week, rotate Plouffe and Sano at 3B/DH (or give Plouffe the occasional day off against a righty).

 

Once a week, sit Mauer, rotate Plouffe over to first, and slide Miguel to third.

 

Problem solved and Miguel gets to focus on third base and hitting. No distractions.

 

BONUS POINTS: Mauer gets to sit once a week and hopefully sort out his current issues.

Few things:

1. You can still have Sano take INF before every single game to keep him fresh.

2. It's highly unlikely Sano ever becomes an above average defender at 3rd base, at this point all scouting reports tend to think his 3rd base defense's ceiling is somewhere between below average and slightly below average.

3. Plouffe has had 179 defensive chances in 2015, that works out to just about 3 "chances" per game at 3rd base. Having Sano DH for a few months isn't going to set him back.

4. You can also have him play winter ball to "catch up" on the fielding, ditto with spring training etc as well.

 

A hard hit ground ball to third is the same as it is in the minors as it is in the majors, the adjustment isn't as large as some folks like to make it out to be. The big difference obviously is the pitching in the minors vs the pitching in the majors.

[jorgenswest]

Players will say it is the speed of the game that makes fielding more challenging in the majors.

[Willihammer]

Even if DH-ing Sano delays his defensive development (which I doubt, as Dave said there is nothing stopping him shagging ground balls and drilling til the cows come home), that is a small price to pay for adding a potential impact bat to the lineup in a contention year. Not to mention the fact that Sano is probably destined for 1B or DH anyway due to his size (at least that's what the consensus seems to be in some circles around here).

[USAFChief]

I'm all for seeing Sano up here sooner rather than later, but I think there's a distinct possibility that people are going to be disappointed by the expected immediate impact. We should probably temper our expectations regarding how instantaneously the offense gets turned around, and I'm very skeptical that his addition translates immediately into more wins. OTOH, inserting two generational talents simultaneously into the lineup...hey, go for it.

On the other hand, small improvements add up over the course of a baseball season. At the least, there isn't any reason a big league team should be regularly running weak hitters out at DH.

[nicksaviking]

 

I'm all for seeing Sano up here sooner rather than later, but I think there's a distinct possibility that people are going to be disappointed by the expected immediate impact. We should probably temper our expectations

 

My expectations have long been tempered regarding rookies. That's the main reason I've been advocating to get them called up to take their lumps before the team began to expect a winning record.

 

As far as Sano's positional debate goes, isn't playing Sano at 3B most games and Plouffe at 1B one way to attempt to remedy the uh....current 1B productivity issue?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

1. You can still have Sano take INF before every single game to keep him fresh.

...

 

3. Plouffe has had 179 defensive chances in 2015, that works out to just about 3 "chances" per game at 3rd base. Having Sano DH for a few months isn't going to set him back.

I agree with the sentiment that Sano will be just fine at DH with a start or two a week at 3B (and more if/when Plouffe gets hurt), but I don't think ground ball drills can equal the value of playing the position in an actual game, and the limited number of chances doesn't correlate with that value either.  No matter how little a ball is hit at him, the 3B is positioning, anticipating, and reacting on every play, backing up teammates, dealing with tags and cut offs, etc.

 

Getting more reps at 3B in winter ball would definitely help, though.

 

And it's all moot because getting DH reps isn't going to hurt him.

[drjim]

 

It's easy to get Sano reps in the field without disrupting him too badly.

 

Once a week, rotate Plouffe and Sano at 3B/DH (or give Plouffe the occasional day off against a righty).

 

Once a week, sit Mauer, rotate Plouffe over to first, and slide Miguel to third.

 

Problem solved and Miguel gets to focus on third base and hitting. No distractions.

 

BONUS POINTS: Mauer gets to sit once a week and hopefully sort out his current issues.

 

The problem with this plan is the strong likelihood that Plouffe and Mauer are both with the team opening day next year (and Hunter isn't). Sano has to work on other positions. From all reports he is a good enough athlete/player that it really shouldn't be a big deal. This idea of playing him in the OF is going to be some huge distraction is way, way overblown.

[Platoon]

On the other hand, small improvements add up over the course of a baseball season. At the least, there isn't any reason a big league team should be regularly running weak hitters out at DH.

  

I'm all for seeing Sano up here sooner rather than later, but I think there's a distinct possibility that people are going to be disappointed by the expected immediate impact. We should probably temper our expectations regarding how instantaneously the offense gets turned around, and I'm very skeptical that his addition translates immediately into more wins. OTOH, inserting two generational talents simultaneously into the lineup...hey, go for it.

Both these are true. IMNSHO! Sano is a far better alternative to work into the lineup than we have been sending out there. BUT, enthusiasm and anticipation should be tempered with historical realism. Even Mike Trout struggled. As will Buxton, Sano, Polanco, Santana, Vargas, and yes even Arcia. As did Morneau and Puckett. My point being, I don't think we will win anymore games with those guys than the current crop. Nor any less, and we get some acclimation time under their belts.

[jimbo92107]

Armed with all the baseball knowledge and wisdom gleaned from this thread alone, I would predict that Miguel Sano will be called up within seven days.

 

Make it so, Mr. Ryan!

 

In a booming voice: Release the Sano!

[laloesch]

 

Even if DH-ing Sano delays his defensive development (which I doubt, as Dave said there is nothing stopping him shagging ground balls and drilling til the cows come home), that is a small price to pay for adding a potential impact bat to the lineup in a contention year. Not to mention the fact that Sano is probably destined for 1B or DH anyway due to his size (at least that's what the consensus seems to be in some circles around here).

 

Exactly.  Sano isn't going to be getting any quicker if he continues to gain weight.  People forget that he was 195 in 2010 and is now pushing 270-280 at age 22. That's not exactly a good sign.  

[Brock Beauchamp]

The problem with this plan is the strong likelihood that Plouffe and Mauer are both with the team opening day next year (and Hunter isn't). Sano has to work on other positions. From all reports he is a good enough athlete/player that it really shouldn't be a big deal. This idea of playing him in the OF is going to be some huge distraction is way, way overblown.

If that's the case, then you give the guy an entire offseason to prepare for the outfield.

 

Again, right now Miguel should be focusing on hitting and positions he has played. Keep the distractions to a minimum.

[drjim]

 

If that's the case, then you give the guy an entire offseason to prepare for the outfield.

Again, right now Miguel should be focusing on hitting and positions he has played. Keep the distractions to a minimum.

 

Playing some RF is not a distraction. Don't buy this in the least. Plenty of players, good and less so, have moved around positions with little problem. If that impacts his hitting he has bigger problems.

 

Hunter has to DH some (or could get hurt) and the options have to be available if Vargas and/or Arcia pick it up at some point.

[Steven Buhr]

Whenever I think about Sano being plugged in to the OF without ever playing so much as one MiLB game there, I get visions of a Delmon Young-ish outfielder running through my brain and I'm not sure I would want to subject Sano, the pitchers, or myself to that kind of reality.

 

I'd just DH him every day for the rest of the season before I'd screw around with trying to teach him a totally new position at the MLB level at mid-year. Then do what you have to do in the offseason to make sure he comes to ST prepared to at least have a fighting chance to avoid being a defensive liability.

[ericchri]

I think most people can look at the situation and say, "yeah, if somebody can play 3B, they can play outfield."  And I would agree.  I don't think it would be disastrous necessarily for him to play some outfield at the same time as learning to hit in the majors.  

 

The following is all completely hypothetical:  I do think he'd probably be a little more likely to hit better sooner, though, if left to just play 3B for now.  Make a fielding mistake in a game at 3B,  "Crap, I've done that before, need to remember to shift my weight when..."  Then go to the plate with a relatively clear head.  Make a mistake in the outfield, "Crap, what the heck just happened?  Was I supposed to.., or maybe was I supposed to...  Ummm, coach?"  Then go to the plate thinking about how to do what the coach just told you about fielding because you haven't worked on it before.

 

I'm exaggerating, of course.  Can he play RF in the majors right away?  Probably, though if he looked worse than Arcia out there I wouldn't be even remotely surprised.  Is it the best way to get him in the lineup?  Probably.  Is it the fastest way for him to reach his potential as a hitter?  Probably not.  This is not an easy decision to make.  Should have left him at SS...   

[DaveW]

I don't understand why people are so worried about finding Sano a spot to play defensively, the guy has the potential to hit 35+ HR a year witha  .530+ Slugging and a .900+ OPS. That is more then good enough to play DH "full time"

[Mike Sixel]

 

Whenever I think about Sano being plugged in to the OF without ever playing so much as one MiLB game there, I get visions of a Delmon Young-ish outfielder running through my brain and I'm not sure I would want to subject Sano, the pitchers, or myself to that kind of reality.

 

I'd just DH him every day for the rest of the season before I'd screw around with trying to teach him a totally new position at the MLB level at mid-year. Then do what you have to do in the offseason to make sure he comes to ST prepared to at least have a fighting chance to avoid being a defensive liability.

 

It is hard to argue against this logically, frankly. Except I'd play him at 3B some, and put Plouffe at 1B on those days.

[jimmer]

 

I think most people can look at the situation and say, "yeah, if somebody can play 3B, they can play outfield."  And I would agree.  

Hanley Ramirez who played shortstop, then 3B, is horrific out there in LF.  I mean, comically bad.

[Willihammer]

 

Hanley Ramirez who played shortstop, then 3B, is horrific out there in LF.  I mean, comically bad.

Its almost like the Red Sox aren't whole unless they have a comically bad LFer named Ramirez.